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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has announced its consideration of three amendment requests related to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2. The NRC plans to determine that these amendments pose no significant hazards. Since these requests include sensitive information, the NRC has set special procedures for accessing this information to prepare for any challenges. The public can comment on these requests, and those interested in hearings or interventions have specific deadlines to file their requests.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released draft guidance on how in vitro diagnostic devices (IVDs) should be validated during emergencies involving emerging pathogens, declared under Section 564. This guidance is currently in draft form and not yet ready for implementation. It gives general recommendations for testing devices to ensure they are accurate and reliable during health crises like disease outbreaks. The FDA encourages public comments on the draft by March 10, 2025, either electronically or by mail, before finalizing the guidance.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accepted a proposed consent agreement to address anticompetitive practices by Guardian Service Industries, Inc. The company was found to have used "No-Hire Agreements" that prevented other businesses from hiring its employees, which the FTC claims are unfair methods of competition under federal law. The proposed consent order will make these agreements void and includes measures to inform affected parties. Some FTC commissioners have expressed dissent, arguing that there was insufficient evidence of antitrust violations. The public can submit comments on this proposed agreement until January 6, 2025.

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced changes to the drug testing panels used in Federal workplace testing programs. The revised panels now include fentanyl and its metabolite norfentanyl, reflecting changes in drug use patterns and safety concerns, particularly related to the opioid crisis. Although there was a proposal to remove MDMA and MDA from the tests due to their low detection rates, this has been postponed for further study. These updates aim to improve the accuracy and relevance of drug tests, balancing scientific evidence, and public input to maintain workplace safety.

The Department of Health and Human Services has issued an amendment to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act to expand the categories of healthcare professionals who can prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines. This includes physicians, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, and practical nurses who held an active license within the last five years. The amendment aims to increase the number of available COVID-19 vaccinators nationwide by granting liability immunity and preempting any state laws that might otherwise restrict these professionals from participating in vaccination efforts. This change is effective as of February 2, 2021, and lasts through October 1, 2024.

The document is an amendment issued by the Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act. This amendment expands the list of people who can prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 countermeasures by including federal employees, contractors, and volunteers. These individuals will receive liability protection as they assist in the national COVID-19 vaccination program. The amendment also ensures that any conflicting state laws are preempted to allow a quicker and more extensive rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of guidance documents related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The guidance has been released without prior public comment to expedite the response to the pandemic but remains open for public input. Electronic or paper comments on these documents can be submitted through designated channels. These guidelines reflect the FDA's current practices and do not impose any binding obligations but serve as recommendations for the industry and relevant stakeholders.

The Postal Regulatory Commission is giving notice about a recent request from the Postal Service. The request concerns several negotiated service agreements and seeks to add these to the Competitive Product List. The public is invited to comment on these requests by December 19, 2024. Details regarding these requests, including the docket numbers and representatives for the public, can be accessed on the Commission's website.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is updating and reissuing a system of records called the "Defense Repository for Common Enterprise Data" (DRCED), now designated as DoD 0004. This system collects and maintains data on various individuals related to the DoD to improve business operations and mission readiness through better data management. The update includes changes to the system location, management, and the purpose of the records, as well as proposals for exempting certain information from Privacy Act provisions. The DoD invites public comments on these modifications, especially regarding routine uses of the data.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released new guidelines for testing alcohols like ethanol and isopropyl alcohol for methanol contamination, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance alerts pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacists about the dangers of using methanol-contaminated alcohols in drug products, which can pose significant health risks. Due to the urgent health emergency, these guidelines were issued without prior public comment and are immediately effective, although they can still receive comments for future updates. The guidance aims to ensure the safe use of pharmaceutical alcohol by focusing on proper identity testing and supply chain oversight.